Local bars and pubs will be hopping with people celebrating St. Patrick's Day on March 17, but there is more to the holiday than green beer, shamrocks and leprechauns.
A quick trip through an encyclopedia or a website such as Wikipedia reveals the history of St. Patrick's Day goes back to before the 1600s, and has evolved through the centuries to the celebration it is today.
St. Patrick's Day originally was a one-day break during the Christian period of Lent. The day was named after Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick, who is believed to have lived between 387 and 461. The shamrock became associated with St.
Patrick's Day due to the day's namesake using it was a teaching method to represent the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
The colour green became associated with St. Patrick's Day beginning on March 17, 1798, after soldiers in the Irish military took to wearing green as a statement against political repression by the British. Prior to that, St. Patrick was associated with the colour blue.
And while green beer are widely associated with St. Patrick's Day, it wasn't until about 40 years ago that Irish pubs and bars were allowed to be open. Early in the 20th century, concerned with the drinking that happened during St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Irish MP James O'Hara introduced a law that required pubs to be closed on St. Patrick's Day.
The law wasn't repealed until the 1970s.
Locally
Several local bars and pubs have set up entertainment for St. Patrick's Day:- Those Crazy Leprechauns, at Little Montreal, 182 Elgin St., from 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 at Jett Landry Music, or available at the venue. Phone 561-1931 for more information.
- Andy Lowe with Baz and Keith at Cranky Joe's, 941 Notre Dame Avenue, from 2 p.m. No cover. Phone 524-9393 for more information.
- Irish Capers at 1500 Pub, 1500 Regent St. 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. matinee for $8, and $10 for the 9 p.m. show. For more information, phone 522-8900.
- Cameron's Ceild at Shaughnessy's Pub and Grill, 187 Shaughnessy, from 4 p.m. $10 at the door. Phone 673-1866 for more information.
- Peddler's Pub and Eatery, 63 Cedar St., will have Celtic music, bagpipes, green beer, Irish food from 11 a.m. $10 door charge starting at 2 p.m. For more information, phone 669-1075.
- And while not a pub, One Eleven Senior Citizen's Centre will host Ricky Stone, 111 Larch St., starting at 1 p.m. in the gym on the second floor. Tickets are $5 for members, $6 for non-members, and includes sandwiches. Phone 675-5001 for more information.
